CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College women's basketball team opened the 2008-09 season with a non-conference loss to Molloy College, 76-68 Saturday afternoon in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars, who were 18-12 a year ago, begin the season 0-1 for the first time in three seasons. The game also marked the season opener for Molloy, which won the East Coast Conference in 2008.
The Lions broke open a close game with a 7-0 run to end the half with a 45-35 lead. E.J. Dreyer scored 10 points as Molloy shot 58.1 percent from the field compared to 38.2 percent for Caldwell. The Lions still maintained a nine-point lead, 58-49 midway through the second half before the Cougars made their move. Four points apiece by senior forward Janay Perkins (Bronx, NY/Walton) and junior guard Danielle Hubbard (East Orange, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) sparked an 11-3 Caldwell run capped by a three-pointer by Hubbard that tied the score at 60-60 with 5:36 to play.
Back-to-back lay-ups by Kymira Woodberry put the Lions back on top, 64-60, but the game remained close. A basket by Perkins and a pair of free throws by senior forward Mackenzie Lynch (Wayne, NJ/DePaul Catholic) helped Caldwell pull to within two, 66-64 with 2:24 on the clock. But a three-pointer by Clarissa Jones that banked off the glass and through the hoop gave Molloy a 69-64 advantage with 2:16 to play. The Cougars came within three points twice, but the Lions made 7-of-8 from the line while holding Caldwell to two free throws and a basket by Lynch down the stretch to close out the win.
Lynch, pictured, led all scorers with 21 points to go with 11 rebounds for her 22nd career double-double at Caldwell. Perkins finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while freshman guard Kaitlyn Lambert (Cumberland, RI/Cumberland) had a strong debut with 12 points and four rebounds. Jones led Molloy with 16 points, while Woodberry, the ECC Player of the Year in 2008, had 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Next up for Caldwell is a game against Seton Hall University on Monday, Nov. 17. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Walsh Gym in South Orange, N.J.
